Effect of hope therapy on fertility stress and pregnancy rate in infertile patients undergoing intrauterine insemination

Hailing Zhu; Siyi Xu; Meihong Wang; Ying Shang; Chan Wei; Jinshan Fu

Effect of hope therapy on fertility stress and pregnancy rate in infertile patients undergoing intrauterine insemination

Am J Transl Res. 2022 Jun 15;14(6):4363-4371. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Hailing Zhu¹, Siyi Xu², Meihong Wang¹, Ying Shang², Chan Wei¹, Jinshan Fu²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570100, Hainan, China.
² Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570100, Hainan, China.

PMID: 35836885
PMCID: PMC9274543

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of hope therapy on fertility stress and pregnancy rate in infertile patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Methods: In this retrospective study, 180 infertile patients undergoing IUI during May 2017 and October 2019 were enrolled and grouped into a study group (n=90) receiving hope therapy and control group (n=90) receiving routine infertility care. The two groups were compared in terms of anxiety and depression, scores of Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), scores of coping style, social support before and after intervention, and post-intervention hormone levels.

Results: (1) Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores showed no significant difference in both groups before intervention (P>0.05). After intervention, the study group exhibited lower scores of HAMA and HAMD than the control group (P<0.05). (2) The two groups showed no significant difference in FPI scale scores before intervention (P>0.05). After intervention, the study group exhibited lower scores of FPI than the control group (P<0.05). (3) The two groups had no significant difference in negative coping and positive coping scores before intervention (P>0.05). After intervention, the study group had lower negative coping scores and higher positive coping scores than the control group (P<0.05). (4) After intervention, the study group showed lower scores of obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensibility, depression, and anxiety, and significantly higher proportion of patients with SCL-90 positive factors regarding depression and anxiety than the control group (P<0.05). (5) The study group showed higher serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) than the control group after intervention (P<0.05). (6) The study group had a higher pregnancy rate than the control group at 6 months' follow-up (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Hope therapy for infertile patients undergoing IUI can help improve their adverse mood, improve their fertility attitude, and improve pregnancy rate while decreasing the scores of depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive factors.

Keywords: Hope therapy; fertility stress; infertility; intrauterine insemination; pregnancy rate.